Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

¶Alexander Gouche, Martyr.

AT which tyme Alexander Gouch also was examined, who was taken with her, as before is said, whose exa∣mination here after followeth.

This Alexander Gouch was examined chiefly of the Sacrament & other ceremonies of the popish church.* 1.1 And as for that his beliefe was, that Christ was ascended into heauen, and there remayneth, & that the Sacrament was the remembraunce of his death and passion, and for refu∣sing the Masse, and the Pope to be supreme hed of Christs Church, for these causes was he condemned, & died with Alice Dryuer at Ipswich, the 4. of Nouember which was the Monday after All Saintes, 1558. D. Myles, Spenser beyng Chancellor, they both endyng their lyues with ear∣nest zeale, nothing fearyng to speake their conscience whē they were commaunded to the contrary.

These two godly personnes beyng come to the place where the stake was set by 7. of the clocke in the morning,* 1.2 notwithstandyng they came the selfe same mornyng from Melton Gaole, which is vj. myles from Ipswich, beyng in their prayers, and singyng of Psalmes both of them to∣gether, Sir Henry Dowell then beyng Shiriffe, was ve∣ry much offended with them, and wylled the Bailiffes of Ipswich to bidde them make an ende of their Prayers, they kneelyng vpon a broome fagot, one of the Bailiffes, whose name was Richard Smart, commaunded them to make an ende, saying: On, on, haue done, haue done: make an ende, nayle them to the stake, yet they continued in prayer.

Then sir Henry sent one of his men, whose name is Rich. Coue, that they should make an end.

* 1.3Then Gouch stood vp, and sayd vnto the Shiriffe: I pray you M. Shirife let vs pray a litle while, for we haue but a little tyme to lyue here.

Then said the Bailife: Come of, haue them to the fire.

Then the sayd Gouch and Alice Driuer sayde: Why M. Shiriffe, and M. Bayliffe, wyll you not suffer vs to pray?

Away, said sir Henry, to the stake with them.

Gouch answered: Take heed M. shiriffe. If you for∣bid praier, the vengeance of God hangeth ouer your heds.

[illustration]

The Martyrdome of Alexander Gouch, and Driuers wyfe.

Then they beyng tied to the stake, and the iron chaine b••∣yng put about Alice Driuers necke: O (said she) here is a goodly neckerchiefe, blessed be God for it.

Then diuers came & tooke them by the handes as they were bound standing at the stake. The shiriffe cryed, laye hands on them, lay hands on them. With that a great nū∣ber ran to the stake. The shirife seyng that, let them all a∣lone, so that there was not one taken.

There was one Bate a Barbour, a busie doer about thē, who hauing thē a freese gowne vpon hym, sold it im∣mediately: saying, it stunke of heretikes,* 1.4 with other foule wordes moe. After this, within three or foure weekes, Gods hand was vpon hym, and so he dyed very misera∣bly in Ipswich.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The articles whereupon Gouch was con∣demned.

  The Martyr∣dome of Gouch and ••lice Dry∣uer at Ipswich. A••no. 15••8▪ Nouember. 4.
• * 1.2

  Gouch & Alice Dryuer brought to the stake.
• * 1.3

  The Martyrs not suffered to pray.
• * 1.4

  Bate a ray∣ling perse∣secut••u••. Example of God•• iu••g∣ment vpon persecutors.